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BALTIMORE – The FBI has reportedly begun an investigation into what caused a container ship to crash into the Baltimore Bridge March 26. The bridge now infamously collapsed upon the ship’s impact, shuttering the port indefinitely and hurting Maryland’s state economy.
This past week, FBI investigators uncovered a vehicle onboard the downed ship, which officials believe fell from the bridge onto the ship at the time of the crash. The vehicle was carrying six construction workers who were repairing potholes on the bridge. Four of their bodies have been discovered, with two remaining missing.
The ship, named the Dali, is managed by Synergy Marine Group and owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd., per Ajazeera. Danish shipper Maersk, one of the largest shipping companies in the world, was chartering the ship. The Dali was carrying around 4,700 containers when it hit the bridge.
According to the Washington Post, investigators will “look at least in part at whether the crew left the port knowing the vessel had serious systems problems.”
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott also announced the city is partnering with two law firms “to launch legal action to hold wrongdoers responsible.” He said the city will take decisive action to hold all entities accountable for the bridge tragedy, including “the owner, charterer, manager/operator and the manufacturer of the M/V Dali, as well as any other potentially liable third parties.”
According to freight publication GCaptain, ship owners have invoked General Average, a maritime law principle that forces cargo owners to share in losses incurred when cargo/vessels are damaged during a sea voyage.
While the Port of Baltimore is a small port, it ranked high in the handling and importing of certain products, including automobiles and plywood veneer.
